Alabama is one of the states that has yet to embrace a comprehensive approach to regulated gambling. While there are some legal exemptions, such as bingo halls and electronic bingo machines, state lawmakers have been hesitant to authorize more traditional forms of gambling like commercial casinos.
This means that residents who want to engage in casino-style gaming must turn to offshore online casinos or make the short drive to one of Alabama’s neighboring states that offer full-scale casino resorts. The Muskogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, for example, offers an online casino that accepts players from Alabama.
Here is a closer look at the state of the Alabama gambling landscape, including information about the types of venues that exist there now and what the future might hold.
Alabama Casino Sites
Although Alabama does not issue licenses to operate online casinos, offshore operators are free to accept customers located within the state. Several reputable casinos based outside of the US accept Alabama customers and provide a safe and enjoyable remote gaming experience.
The Muskogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma operates a licensed online casino called Yoüdrinkwater Social Casino that accepts players from Alabama. This online venue offers a variety of slot games and allows players to participate in various social gaming communities.
Yoùdrinkwater Social Casino
Yoùdrinkwater is a social/sweepstakes online casino operated by the Muskogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma. It offers several hundred online slot games and allows players to earn various rewards and bonuses. One of the unique aspects of this online social casino is its integration with Twitch streaming technology, allowing players to interact with each other and their favorite streamers while playing games. Players can play Yoùdrinkwater games for “fun money” or purchase packages of gaming credits; winnings can be redeemed for sweepstakes entries, which give players a chance to win cash prizes.
While Yoùdrinkwater doesn’t offer the same level of excitement as a traditional casino, it provides an entertaining and accessible option for those who enjoy casino games. The fact that it is operated by a Native American tribe adds an interesting wrinkle, highlighting the evolving nature of tribal gaming in the United States.
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At this time, state laws do not address the topic of sports betting specifically, leaving it unregulated. However, Governor Kay Ivey signed HB378 in 2021, which authorizes electronic bingo games at four specific facilities in the state. Two of these establishments—Greene County’s VictoryLand and the River City Casinos in Wetumpka and Birmingham—have indicated their interest in offering sports betting if it becomes legal.
Several Alabama lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville), have expressed support for bringing sports betting to the Yellowhammer State. In February 2023, Scofield announced his intention to introduce a bill during the 2024 legislative session that would allow both in-person and mobile sports betting at the state’s four commercial casinos. According to Scofield, sports betting could generate up to $35 million in annual revenue for the state.
However, any potential legislation will need to navigate the interests of the state’s tribes, who operate Class II gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Some tribes, such as the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which owns the state’s three commercial casinos, may seek to exclusively offer sports betting on their properties. Others, like the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, have already entered the online sports betting market in other states. The final form that sports betting takes in Alabama will likely depend on negotiations between these various stakeholders.
In the meantime, Alabama sports fans looking to place bets on their favorite teams have a few options. Many Alabamians currently use offshore sportsbooks, which operate outside of state and federal regulations. These books are riskier for consumers, as there is no oversight to ensure fair odds, payouts, or security measures. Additionally, using an offshore booksite carries the legal risk that law enforcement could prosecute users.
Alabama is one of several southern states without legal sports betting. Its neighbors Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Mississippi all offer some form of legal wagering. This has led to some Alabamians traveling across state lines to place bets, depriving the state of potential tax revenue.
Alabama Horse Track Betting
There are no active horse racetracks in Alabama, so there are no on-site betting opportunities available. However, historical horse racing (HHR) machines are permitted in the state, providing a way for horse racing enthusiasts to engage in parasocial wagering. HHR machines allow individuals to place bets on previously run horse races, providing the excitement of horse racing and wagering without an actual track within the state’s borders.
Similar to the situation with sports betting, the legality of HHR machines in Alabama is somewhat convoluted. While the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that virtual Alabama Greyhound Corporation machines were illegal, it left the door open for Vitual Electronic Derby (VED) machines, which simulate horse racing instead of dog racing. Greyhound Park & Poker Room in Greenville closed its doors in June 2021 after being ordered to shut down electronic gambling machines by a Macon County judge.
Victoryland in Shorter and Birmingham Race Course and Wind Creek Wetumpka all offer electronic bingo machines that function similarly to HRR machines. While Wind Creek Perdido Views in Orange Beach stopped offering HRR gaming in early 2023, citing a lack of clarity regarding their legal status, the other three venues continue to offer these machines to Alabama gamblers.
If state lawmakers decide to clarify the legal status of historic horse racing machines, they may be able to generate additional revenue for the state while still avoiding the construction of physical horse tracks.
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Like many other states, Alabama does not impose any restrictions on daily fantasy sports (DFS). As skill games fall into a gray area of Alabama law, providers choose to avoid operating within the state. However, Alabama lawmakers have shown little interest in regulating DFS, leaving the activity untaxed and largely unrestricted.
Alabamians aged 18 and above can access DFS websites like DraftKings and FanDuel and participate in daily fantasy contests for real money prizes. While there are no state taxes withheld, players will owe state taxes on any winnings over $6,000.
AL Lottery
The Alabama Legislature has shown little interest in introducing a state lottery, with most Republican lawmakers opposed to the idea. While some Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville), have introduced lottery bills in recent years, they have failed to gain traction in the GOP-controlled Legislature.
Governor Ivey has also expressed her opposition to a state lottery, citing concerns about the addictive nature of lotteries and the potential for problem gambling. Without a shift in public opinion or political leadership, it appears unlikely that Alabama will join the 45 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, that have lotteries.
Casino Cities in Alabama
Alabama has no large casino cities, but several smaller towns host different types of gaming venues.
Macon
The city of Macon, situated in Middle Alabama, houses two electronic bingo halls: Macon County Courhouse Bingo and Valley Forge Bingo. However, the status of electronic bingo in Macon County is uncertain following a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court in March 2023, which deemed electronic bingo machines illegal. Both bingo halls remain open, although they could face legal action from the state.
Macon is also home to the defunct Greyhound Park & Poker Room, which ceased operations in June 2021 after a Macon County judge ordered it to shut down electronic gambling machines.
Montgomery
Alabama’s capital city, Montgomery, has seen the rise and fall of electronic bingo operations. The Alabama Sports Superbook at Indian Springs School (formerly known as Wind Creek Hospitality-Indian Springs) offered electronic bingo and sports betting, but both activities are currently unavailable.
The Alabama Supreme Court’s decision in March 2023 declared electronic bingo machines to be illegal, and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office obtained a temporary restraining order against the sports book in April 2023, halting sports betting operations. It remains to be seen how these venues will adapt to the changing regulatory environment.
Prattville
Autaugaville, a town near Prattville, used to be home to Autauga Prince Hotel Casino, which offered electronic bingo machines. However, the casino closed its doors in November 2021.
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VictoryLand, a landmark in Alabama’s gambling history, is located in Shorter. Once a major player in the E-Bingo industry, the venue was the subject of a long-running legal battle over electronic bingo machines. Following the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling in March 2023, Victoria Land’s electronic bingo machines were deemed illegal, and the venue continues to operate Slot-like machine gaming under Virtual Electronic Derby (VED) rules.
Wetumpka
Birmingham Race Course and Wind Creek Wetumpka both offer electronic bingo machines that function similarly to historical horse racing machines. Wind Creek Perdido Views in Orange Beach stopped offering HRR gaming in early 2023, while their counterparts in Birmingham and Wetumpka continue to provide these machines to patrons.
Type of Alabama Casinos
Although there are no large casino cities in Alabama, there are several types of gaming venues scattered throughout the state. Understanding the distinctions between these venues can help Alabamians make informed decisions about where to pursue their luck.
Alabama Tribal Casinos
Alabama does not have any traditional tribal casinos. However, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PBCI) operates three commercial casinos under a 1994 Compact with the State of Alabama: Creek Casino & Hotel Thpotakoli, Creek Casino & Hotel Alexander City, and Creek Casino & Hotel York. The PBCI is not a federally recognized tribe, and some Alabamians have challenged the legality of their exclusive right to offer certain forms of electronic bingo.
In 2021, the PBCI renewed their compact with Governor Ivey, agreeing to pay $260 million over five years. The renewed compact also allowed the tribe to construct a fourth casino in Macon County, though the status of electronic bingo at their existing casinos remains unclear following the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling in March 2023.
The Muskogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma operates an online social casino called Yoùdrinkwater, which is accessible to Alabamians. This nation also owns the Wind Creek Hospitality brand, which includes Wind Creek Atmore, Wind Creek Montgomery, and Wind Creek Wetumpka in Alabama, as well as properties in Pennsylvania and Guyana. However, these venues do not offer traditional casino gaming. Instead, they describe themselves as “destination resorts” featuring luxury accommodations, spas, golf courses, and other amenities.
Alabama Charity Casinos
Various charitable organizations in Alabama are authorized to conduct bingo and raffles. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion are among the groups permitted to offer these games for charitable purposes. However, the definition of “charitable gaming” has become a contentious issue in recent years, with some electronic bingo operations coming under scrutiny for allegedly exceeding permissible limits.
Benefits for Veterans, Active Reservists, and Their Families, a nonprofit group associated with the Alabama Fraternal Order of Police, operates electronic bingo games at the FOB Elks Lodge #2412 in Albertville. The Gulf Coast Veterans Association runs similar games at the Gulf Coast Veterans Association Bingo & Event Center in Loxley. Other organizations, such as the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind and the Hand in Hand Children’s Development Center, have hosted special events involving electronic bingo.
Alabama Historical Racing Casinos
The term “historical racing” refers to pari-mutuel wagering on horses that have already run. Advocates argue that these games differ from traditional slot machines because they require some element of skill, as players must analyze past race data to make predictions.
VictoryLand in Shorter, Birmingham Race Course, and Wind Creek Wetumpka all offer historical horse racing machines, often referred to as HRR machines. These machines allow players to bet on the outcomes of previous horse races, providing a loophole for venues that are barred from offering traditional slot machines or electronic bingo. However, the legal status of HRR machines is unclear, with the Alabama Supreme Court ruling in March 2023 that virtually enhanced Alabama Greyhound Corporation (AGC) machines are prohibited.
Alabama Online Casinos
Alabama does not issue licenses to operate online casinos, but offshore operators are free to accept players located within the state. The Muskogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma operates Yoùdrinkwater Social Casino, an online social casino that offers slot games and allows players to participate in various social gaming communities. While online gambling is not widely available in Alabama, this could change if state lawmakers choose to regulate the industry in the future.
Alabama Riverboats
Riverboat casinos, a popular form of gambling in neighboring states, are absent from Alabama’s landscape. The last riverboat casino in the state, Pleasure Valley Resort (also known as Card Sound Treasure Island), closed its doors in 2003. Currently, the closest major riverboat casinos to Alabama are Harlow’s Casino Resort in Greenville, Mississippi, and The Battle Casino Hotel in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi.
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Alabamians have access to a variety of games through the state’s electronic bingo halls, historical horse racing machines, and the Muskogee (Creek) Nation’s online casino. Here are some of the most popular games played in Alabama:
- Slots: Yoùdrinkwater offers a wide selection of themed slot games, while Venue 1106 in Dothan and Emmanuel Poker Palace in Linden feature VED (Virtual Electronics Derby) slots-style machines.
- Video Poker: A popular game that combines elements of poker and slot machines. It can be found at some electronic bingo facilities in Alabama.
- Electronic Bingo: A version of the classic game that is played on electronic machines. Rules variations include using a ball to generate bingo numbers or relying entirely on computer-generated numbers.
- Historical Horse Racing: Allows players to bet on horses that have already run. Similar to betting at a racetrack, but the races take place at various locations around the country.
- Poker: Not officially allowed in Alabama, but private citizens can play among friends and family according to state laws governing gambling. Venues like Emmanuel Poker Palace in Linden and Tiger Poker Club in Tuscaloosa offer membership-based card rooms featuring table games like Blackjack and Texas Hold ’em poker.
Alabama Gambling Age
The minimum age to participate in various forms of gambling in Alabama depends on the type of venue and the specific activity. Here’s an overview of the typical minimum ages:
- Electronic Bingo: Most electronic bingo facilities in Alabama allow patrons aged 18 and above. However, the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling in March 2023 has cast doubt on the legality of these venues, and some may face legal challenges.
- Historical Horse Racing: Like electronic bingo venues, most historical horse racing facilities admit patrons aged 18 and above. However, the legal status of HHR gaming is currently unclear.
- The Muskogee (Creek) Nation’s Yoùdrinkwater Social Casino: Players must be at least 21 years old to create an account and use Yoùdrinkwater’s social casino.
- Charity Bingo and Raffles: Participants typically must be 18 years or older to play charity bingo and raffles, which are authorized for the benefit of veterans and other eligible organizations.
- Offshore Online Casinos: Reputable offshore operators follow standard industry practices and require players to be at least 18 years old. However, some sites, like Yoùdrinkwater, raise the minimum age to 21 due to alcohol advertising and social gambling features.
Tips for Visiting a Alabama Casino for the First Time
Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a first-time visitor, understanding some basic tips can enhance your overall experience at an Alabama casino:
1. Familiarize yourself with the rules: If you’re new to a particular game, take some time to understand the rules and strategies before putting your money on the line. Most casinos offer low-limit tables and machines where you can practice without risking too much.
2. Set a budget: It’s essential to establish how much money you’re willing to spend before you even step foot in the casino. Stick to your budget, regardless of whether you’re winning or losing. Never chase losses.
3. Look for good payouts: Different games and machines offer varying payouts. Do some research or ask a casino employee which games have the best odds for your preferred type of gambling. For example, video poker often provides better returns than slot machines.
4. Take breaks: Whether it’s getting up to stretch your legs or stepping away for a meal, it’s crucial to give yourself regular breaks. Gambling can be exciting but also intense, and taking a breather can help clear your head.
are casinos open on easter5. Know when to quit: It can be challenging to walk away from a hot streak, but knowing when to call it a day is vital. If you’ve reached your budget limit or simply feel comfortable ending your session, trust your instincts and cash out.
6. Have fun!: Above all, visiting a casino should be an enjoyable experience. Whether you’re playing games, enjoying live entertainment, or simply people-watching, relish the thrill of the moment and savor the excitement of the chance
